Hello all! I have a 1997 Honda crv AWD with an automatic transmission. It has 190k on it. I just recently purchased the car for a really good deal…but with that said I hope you guys can help me.
When I looked over the service records (i have all reciepts for repair from prev. owner from 130k to present) I came across a transmission service. They had filled the transmission with 12 quarts of some crappy dexron III which i know is a no no. In the owners manual it clearly states dexron III can be used in an emergency but should be drained as soon as possible. Only Honda Dw-1 to be used or can cause slipping. Anyway they said they used the dexron III with a transmission additive of some sort. Don’t have exact info on that. This was done at 160k, now at 190k I’m not sure what to do. Heres the deal…
The car when cold shifts fine. Fluid is at correct level and still red. About 5 mins or less into driving the transmission will slip into 3rd gear. When I slow down sometimes its a more abrupt downshift into second almost slamming in. Or if i slow down to make a turn then try to accelerate it shifts hard into second to shift up. Now I know these signs are not good obviously. I’m decently mechanically inclined. However, my question is… can I or rather should I go to honda to get the transmission flushed? I’ve heard mixed reviews on a flush for a honda. I know they don’t have a servicable filter but at this point I don’t want the dexron III sitting in there and maybe the treatment and conditioner they’ll use (i think BG) will correct or at least lesson the issue.
Any suggestions for things i can do on my end or at the dealer would be greatly appretiated. At this stage I don’t have the money for a new tranny so I’ll try and keep this one going for as long as possible.
I’d start with a proper transmission service, including using the correct trans fluid this time. If that helps but doesn’t fix the problem entirely, drive 100 miles, then do it again. If it is relatively easy to do on this make/mode/year, make sure the shop drops the pan, cleans it out, sieves for metal debris, and replaces the filter if applicable. And of course uses the correct fluid. Buy the fluid from Honda.
i’m having the honda dealership do the service. They said its a flush with a cleaner and treatment conditioner in it. So I won’t be buying the fluid myself unfortunately. I would have another shop do it, however I live in an area with a lot of crappy mechanics that I wouldn’t trust.
I would do it myself, However since i have to have the dexron III taken out of the torque converter I would assume they will be using some sort of machine to suck out the old fluid and pump in the new.
Someone I know personally has had success with Lucas Stop Leak… He drives a 95’ Honda Accord. He claims this product has tremendously reduced/stopped oil leakage.
